Meeting Energy Step Code
Developers, Registered Professionals, Contractors, Builders and Designers are required to submit building permits for new residential, multi-family and commercial buildings that meet the Energy Step Code.
For Part 3 Residential, Multi-Family, and Commercial Buildings
The City is relying on the Registered Professionals (RPs) who are submitting the Letters of Assurance (LOAs) for compliance to Step Code for Part 3 buildings. Applications must have the Energy Model completed by a Registered Professional and the City will be requesting a copy of the Provincial Part 3 Compliance Form for Energy Step Code as part of the permit intake.
For Part 9 Dwelling Units
The Energy Step Code Step involves the following:
- Engaging a Certified Energy Advisor (CEA) early in the design so that the CEA can perform an energy assessment using one of the approved softwares, most likely “Hot2000”;
- Submission of the Provincial Part 9 Compliance Form as part of the permit intake package;
- Performing a mid-construction blower door test for airtightness, unless air-tight drywall is used;
- Performing a post construction blower door test to get an air-exchange rate reading of the airtightness of the building; the air-exchange rate is fed back into the energy model program to confirm compliance and to obtain an Energuide rating;
- Submit the Energuide rating to NRCan.
For specific information on changes to the permitting, review and inspections processes, please review the Building Division Bulletins on the Part 9 Buildings and Bulletins for Part 3 Buildings.